Coldplay ready with new album

Thursday

They’ve been one of the most commercially successful acts of the new millennium, but the members of Coldplay never rush a new project.

They’ve been one of the most commercially successful acts of the new millennium, but the members of Coldplay never rush a new project.

It has been about two years since we’ve heard new music from Chris Martin and the guys, but their latest work finally will be released June 17. And for a taste of the new album, you can watch Coldplay perform this Sunday on the "MTV Movie Awards."

Since the new project began in December 2006, rumors have been circulating. First, sources were saying music producer Timbaland would be collaborating and the album would be out by early 2007. Martin quickly shot these stories down and the band took a break from recording to tour South America for the first time. Those shows turned out to be influential for the sound of the new album.

While they were touring, Coldplay recorded several tracks in churches across Latin America and Spain. Martin later blogged that the album seemed to have Hispanic influences, which may have also led to the album’s title.

Martin revealed exclusively to Rolling Stone magazine the title “Viva la Vida” for their fourth studio album. He said the phrase, which means “long live life” came from a painting by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and was chosen because he “just loved the boldness of it.”

And the album itself is a bit bold. Martin says the new work is a new direction for Coldplay, calling their last three albums a trilogy this fourth one breaks off from. Several tracks feature distorted guitar riffs and bluesy undertones while Martin uses his voice’s lower register much more than his usual falsetto. The guys also say their lyrics are “much more abstract, much more visual than before.”

Coldplay plans to kick off its Viva la Vida World Tour with a free concert at Madison Square Garden on June 23. Along the way they’ll also stop at the XL Center in Hartford July 3. But if you can’t wait for these dates, tune into the "MTV Movie Awards" this Sunday to catch one of Coldplay’s first performances of their new single, “Violet Hill.”